My interest in science was fed by occasional documentaries and the hands-on activities at The Science Museum and Natural History museum. Accessible information is now available on every platform, but where do the the youth of Sussex get to join in with hands-on activities?

Just under three weeks to go until the Bright Sparks weekend provides hands-on activities at the Brighton Science Festival. And we get to join in! The DNA Detectives – a group of researchers, students and faculty from the University of Sussex School of Life Sciences will be extracting DNA from strawberries and making models of viruses with 100’s of young people.

Thank you to The Royal Society for Biology for sponsorship.

Thank you to researchers, students and faculty for their time.

Thank you to Brighton Science festival for giving us the opportunity to have fun undertaking this important outreach.

Short Burst Activities – Introduction.

My teaching philosophy is that the most effective teaching fosters an active participation in learning and in my roles as a University professor and as a leader of outreach activities I consider myself primarily as a learning facilitator.

A worked example makes it easier for others to understand how readily this can be achieved and so I am compiling a series of ‘how to’ guides for ‘Short Burst Activities’ within lecture theatre teaching teaching of Bio-Sciences. Some are very specific but others could be readily adapted to other topics.

I would be greatful for feedback and if you would like me to add your activities to the blog, or add a link to them please contact me. a.j.sinclair@sussex.ac.uk